Premier League: 10 things to keep an eye on this matchday
Walker faces Garnacho ready for a new battle
A Mancunian rematch might be in store as the Clarets' Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho on Burnley's turf. The wide man is finding his feet with Chelsea following his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the national team interval. His key pass for Pedro Neto mixed blistering pace with a perfect along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto involved cutting inside before chipping a cross to the back post. His goal reaction with Neto, mirroring his prior embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a reminder of the pace with which circumstances change. The most recent instance Garnacho faced Walker? Back when the former scored for United in their FA Cup final victory against Manchester City.
Burnley vs Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo vital to ending Bournemouth's slump
Antoine Semenyo is receiving the entire transfer speculation treatment amid a reported £65m escape clause for his potential mid-season move, the gossip columns preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected from a winger with a half-dozen strikes and three assists who is joyous to watch. Nonetheless, his team are in an difficult position, having undergone a body swap: now it's the relegation battlers West Ham who enter with consecutive triumphs, while Bournemouth have lost seven-one combined over their last two matches after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the spot by Emi Martínez during the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa yet facing a backline that hasn't kept a clean sheet for months may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker an outside shout for the Three Lions
It proved interesting to hear Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break although the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Despite not being familiar with him, I understand what he could provide,” said the England boss. “He might act as a back-up for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional striker role.” Earning the most recent of his 42 caps back in 2018, it's quite plausible that Welbeck could be in the squad for the World Cup provided he can maintain his scoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has a greater tally than any other English performer in England's top division this term having six and will be anxious to add to that tally when Brighton entertain Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and finisher
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has provided a degree of comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The 25-year-old, who came back to his youth team last year after five challenging years with Spurs, has emerged as a first-team fixture, operating on the left side with the unavailable Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he remains their leading marksman in the Premier League together with Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their leading man the previous campaign, has netted once while Rodrigo Muniz is out for an extended period due to hamstring surgery. Sessegnon is also needing to deliver as a creator replacing Robinson, who registered ten helpers in the previous campaign. Fulham's following four matches feature three from the leading five and Crystal Palace, who have allowed merely nine scores this season to date. Danger looms for a team that have earned a name for consistency in the middle.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday 3:00 PM
The moment for Alexander Isak to produce for Liverpool
The controversy about Virgil van Dijk's ruled-out strike against Manchester City did not camouflage Liverpool's deficiencies during the match as they fell to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's side must have a prolonged upturn to force their way into the title race from their current spot, plus a dramatic upturn in results, and a chance emerges with seven from their next 10 league games against sides presently in the bottom ten of the table. The risk is clear posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to deliver a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, yet it isn't solely Liverpool's display when facing long balls and fast breaks that remains under the spotlight. The moment has come for Alexander Isak to deliver in a Liverpool shirt. The £125m striker has not played at club level for a month following a muscle issue when making his second consecutive start in four days in the Champions League win abroad. He reappeared as a substitute in the Swedish defeat to Switzerland but missed the midweek meaningless match with Slovenia to guarantee his availability for the World Cup qualifiers. A caution on Tuesday would have suspended him. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
